Legislation
2007-2008
WHO WE ARE:
The Minnesota School Social Workers’ Association (MSSWA) has been serving children in their schools, homes and communities for 39 years. We are an association of school social workers throughout Minnesota who work with students and their families to provide mental health related services and support in the school system. Although our jobs differ between districts statewide, we are united in our common goal of working with the “whole child,” MSSWA defines “whole child” as working with the child in his/her environment with consideration to family, community, values, culture and language.
WHAT WE DO:
School social workers are qualified to provide: crisis prevention and intervention, therapeutic services, parent/guardian education and training, case management, advocacy, and collaboration and coordination of programs specific to student needs. In addition to working with special education students, school social workers address the social and emotional needs of all students in their school(s). Minnesota school social workers are dual licensed by the Board of Social Work and the Department of Education to provide mental health services in schools. Our practice is guided by the Board of Social Work Code of Ethics, as well as School Social Work standards set forth by the National Association of Social Workers.
WHAT WE SUPPORT:
FACT: Up to three quarters of U.S. children receiving professional care for a mental health problem obtained services through a school based program. Mental health needs of children affect their academic success. Therefore,
· The Minnesota School Social Workers’ Association supports the adequate provision of mental health services in schools.
· We support additional social work services in Minnesota schools due to the increase in needs of the students who attend public schools.
· Licensed social workers are qualified to provide services that address the emotional and mental health needs of all students, to inform educators and families about children’s mental health issues, and to collaborate with community resources to support children and their families.
· We support improving the ability for mental health professionals employed by schools to seek third party reimbursement by allowing the use of a special education evaluation as sufficient documentation of mental health needs.
· We support the increased coursework, continuing education, and training of supervisors for clinical licensure. However, the increase supervision requirements will be a burden for school social workers.
MSSWA legislative focus for 2008:
· We support the Department of Education developing and implementing a plan to incorporate social and emotional development standards for the purpose of enhancing and measuring children’s school readiness and ability to achieve academic success.
Early Childhood Education is currently underfunded in the state of Minnesota. Early identification and intervention is linked to improved outcomes for children.
· We support adequate funding for early identification of needs.
· We support funding for intervention and education to address the needs of children ages birth to five. Children with untreated social-emotional or behavioral issues are more at risk for dropping out of school, being held back in school, or entering the juvenile justice system.
· School social workers are able to help identify early childhood needs through assessment/screening. We support reimbursing school social workers for completing mental health screening.
Your Minnesota Senators and Legislators
House members:
http://ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers.asp
Senate members:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/alphalist.shtml
The State of Minnesota’s Geographic Information Server
http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us
Use this link to type in your address to find your district and legislators:
http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts
